Andy Street has his say on Reform and his political future

Plus: Autumn bookworm activities and a peak into Birmingham's history

Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Wednesday briefing.

Today we bring some Brummie goings-on that have made national news reels. Firstly, Andy Street has given a post-mayoralty interview to The Observer, weighing in on what Birmingham needs, disappointments from his time in office, and where the Tory party should go next. We also have a link to a very pleasant review of a recent Birmingham festival, whose reputation is only growing.

Elsewhere there’s some calendar dates for all you bookish folk, a full week of Birmingham heritage on offer and a late Autumn sleepout all for a good cause.

Take care (and stay dry), Dan.

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Brum in Brief

🔊 Andy Street weighs in: Re-energised by a US holiday and a four-month gap since he lost the West Midlands mayoralty, Street is back — weighing in on the future of the Conservative party. In his view, the party can only win if it ignores Reform and aims for the centre ground. “The lesson of Conservative history is that you win from the centre ground. Look back to Chamberlain, Baldwin, Macmillan, even Thatcher in 1979 — she did not become a radical until later on,” he told The Observer in an interview. He also had comments on Birmingham, why he felt let down over HS2 and why the Conservatives outperformed the national average in the mayoral battle. “We were very much in a moderate position, an inclusive position. We tried to deliver on the things young people really needed,” he said. Full interview here.

Andy Street (in front) and Richard Parker leaving the election count on 4 May after Parker’s win. Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images.

🕺 Five-star Supersonic: While many around the country (and, indeed, across the West Midlands) might be licking their wounds at the cost of Oasis tickets for their reunion gig, a fringe music festival, held in Digbeth last weekend, has been given the five-star treatment by reviewers. With Arts Council funding, the 1,200-person festival puts on music from the edges, battling gentrification and market forces as it does so. As a Guardian reviewer put it: “[festivals like Supersonic are] catalysts and cultivators – places where connections are made, communities are sustained and future collaborations may take root.” Lovely stuff. Full review here.

🔥 Castle Vale hits back: Residents in Castle Vale have hit out after a fire in a communal storeroom nearly caused a massive explosion. They say it’s an area regularly used as a “smoking den” by local youths with many banding together to try and stop what they say is anti-social behaviour which could eventually result in a tragedy. One said: “I have concerns about kids going into residential areas and using as a place to hang out.” Full report here with councillor and fire service comments. 

😴 St Basils Sleep Out: Registrations for the annual St Basils sleepout are now open. The event sees many sleep outside for the night by Millennium Point on 25th November in order to raise funds for the 4,000 young people the charity helps each year. This year the charity is partnering with Birmingham Youth Sport Academy which helps to combat youth homelessness through sport. To take part or find out more, click here.

📖 Bookworms alert: With the nights drawing in and days getting colder, many of us will be looking to inside activities to warm our cockles and keep us social. Voce Books has just announced their autumn line-up which kicks off with an evening with one of the Observer’s best new novelists but also has nights showcasing Brummie writing talent, big-name authors and everything in between. Check out the full line-up here. 

🏛️ Heritage Brum: For those who have always wanted to get a better look inside Birmingham’s past, Heritage Week is almost upon us. There are tours of old banks, old pubs and through historic (old) Bournville. Lots of old stuff! As well as free entry into places you’d never usually be able to get into. The full, and wide-ranging, options are here.